Hemigraphis alternata plant named &#39;HEGHE02&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘HEGHE02’ is a distinctive variety of  Hemigraphis alternata  which is characterized by yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a dense growth habit.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Hemigraphis alternata.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Hemigraphis alternata disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘HEGHE02’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Hemigraphis alternata, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘HEGHE02’. Its market class is that of an herbaceous perennial groundcover. The primary intended use of Hemigraphis alternata is as a decorative foliage plant in ornamental containers, but it may also be used as a spreading groundcover in warm, tropical climates. The species is known for its attractive foliage color which can be described as an iridescent, metallic purple upper leaf surface and a solid purple lower leaf surface.

Parentage:

In February 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘exotica’ (unpatented), possessing yellow and green foliage variegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility in Apopka, Fla. in a production crop of 2,545 nursery pots of Hemigraphis alternata ‘exotica’. All other progeny in the crop maintained the foliage color that is typical of the parent. Each pot within the crop contained multiple vegetative cutting progeny and, upon closer examination, it was determined that the variegated mutation, or “sport”, resulted from a mutation on a lateral branch of one such vegetative cutting. Said sport was removed from the mother plant as a vegetative cutting in March 2012 and rooted in a separate area so its growth could be monitored. Subsequent vegetative cuttings were taken and rooted. It was found that the sport remained true to type. The new plant was finally selected in December 2012 and given the name ‘HEGHE02’.

Asexual Reproduction:

‘HEGHE02’ was first propagated asexually by vegetative cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. and has since been asexually propagated through numerous successive generations with a total of 9,770 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘HEGHE02’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘HEGHE02’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis alternata ‘exotica’ which is characterized by yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a dense growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary 5 week-old ‘HEGHE02’ plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of ‘HEGHE02’ (on right) with the parent, Hemigraphis alternata ‘exotica’, on left. Both plants are 28 weeks old.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary foliage variegation of ‘HEGHE02’ (on right) at various stages of development, from juvenile to intermediate to mature, by comparison with the parent, on left. Perspective is adaxial.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Hemigraphis alternate ornamental plant known as ‘HEGHE02’. Plant observations were made on plants grown at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from 28 week-old, greenhouse-grown ‘HEGHE02’ plants grown from rooted cuttings in 15 cm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with periodic applications of liquid slow-release fertilizer with a 20-20-20 (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) formulation at a rate of 225 parts-per-million of Nitrogen. Plants were regularly watered with drip irrigation (pH 6.0) and systemic fungicides and insecticides were applied as pest treatment thresholds dictated. Approximate average temperature range in the greenhouse was between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and light levels ranged from 1500 to 1800 Foot-candles. No plant growth regulators were used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘HEGHE02’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the RHS charts and the corresponding RHS colors are quoted.

‘HEGHE02’ is a perennial Hemigraphis alternata plant which is a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘exotica’, selected for its yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a dense growth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.

-   Growth habit, dimensions and color: -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Creeping to mounding herbaceous perennial with             a fast growth rate.         -   Height.—16 cm as measured.         -   Width.—35 cm as measured.         -   Natural bloom period.—Sporadic; may bloom at any time of             year in warm environments.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 10 to 11.         -   Environmental tolerances.—In common with the species; does             not tolerate drought, high salinity, low temperatures or             frost.         -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common             with the species; none of note.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             cuttings and plants root well without the use of a rooting             compound or hormone. Time to initiate root development is             approximately 7 to 12 days at approximately 70 degrees             Fahrenheit, with light levels of 1800-2000 Foot-candles. -   Roots: Fibrous and freely branched and also exhibits adventitious     rooting from aerial nodes. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching and habit.—Branches are sprawling and prostrate at             ground-level and eventually becoming ascending, exhibiting a             stolon-like habit. Freely branching with numerous branches             ascending from all nodes along stolon-like stems.         -   Stem strength.—Weak; little rigidity.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem color.—A combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green             146D, with the predominant color being yellow-green 146D.         -   Stem dimensions.—Longest stem measured at 140 mm. Stem             diameter ranges from 3 to 5 mm at the base.         -   Stem surface.—Soft and pubescent.         -   Internode length.—Highly variable throughout the plant;             generally ranges from 10 to 20 mm between the first and             second aerial nodes. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Perennial.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate.         -   Orientation.—Upward and outward in juvenile and intermediate             foliage and becoming close to horizontal in mature foliage.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute.         -   Base.—Cordate.         -   Cross-section.—Involute.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—Basal portion of the midrib             is red-purple 63B, becoming green 138D along the apical half             of the midrib. All secondary veins are green 138D, except             becoming green-white 157B at and near the leaf margins.         -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—Green 145B near the petiole,             becoming red-purple 70A throughout most of the leaf surface.         -   Margins.—Crenate and slightly involute.         -   Texture.—Puckered or blistered leaf surface, i.e. bullate;             both adaxial and abaxial surfaces are pubescent.         -   Mature leaf dimensions.—approximate length 90 mm, average             width 55 mm.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an             irregular pattern of yellow-green 152A at and near the             midrib, becoming yellow-green 152D to 151A at and near the             leaf margin; Intermediate foliage: variegated with an             irregular pattern of yellow-green 146B to 146C at and near             the midrib, becoming yellow 11C at and near the leaf margin;             Mature: variegated with an irregular pattern of yellow-green             146C at and near the midrib, becoming orange-white 159C at             and near the leaf margin.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: greyed-purple 186B;             Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern             of yellow-green 147D at and near the midrib, becoming             orange-white 159C at and near the leaf margin; Mature:             variegated with an irregular pattern and exhibiting a             combination of red-purple 70A and 71A at and near the             midrib, with a combination of yellow 11D, red-purple 63C and             63D at and near the leaf margin.         -   Petiole.—Longest measured petioles are 55 mm; width is 3 mm.             Color is indistinguishable from the stem; lightly pubescent.         -   Stipules.—None. -   Inflorescence: Not yet observed. -   Flowers: Not yet observed. -   Reproductive organs: Not yet observed. -   Fruit and seed production: Not yet observed. -   Comparison of HEGHE02 with other varieties of Hemigraphis alternata:     By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are     characterized by a green and yellow variegated adaxial leaf surface     as described above, whereas the adaxial leaf surface of the parent     is a solid color, corresponding to yellow-green 147A in juvenile and     intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple (approximately 187A)     at maturity. Likewise, the abaxial leaf surface in ‘HEGHE02’ is also     variegated as described herein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of     the parent is a solid color, corresponding to a combination of     greyed-purple 186A and purple 79B in juvenile and intermediate     foliage and becoming greyed-purple 187A and 79A in mature foliage.     The stem color of ‘HEGHE02’ is a combination of red-purple 63C and     yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color being yellow-green     146D whereas the stem color of the parent is a combination of     yellow-green 146D and greyed-purple 187A, with the predominant color     being greyed-purple 187D. As described herein, ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits an     almost stolon-like habit with a multitude of stems running     horizontally at the soil surface whereas the stems of the parent     plant are ascending as they emerge from the soil. While both the     parent and ‘HEGHE02’ are approximately the same height, the stem     internode length in ‘HEGHE02’ is shorter than that of the parent.     Stem internode length between the first and second aerial internodes     of ‘HEGHE02’ ranges from 10-20 mm whereas in the parent the length     of the same ranges from 30 to 50 mm. Also, the mature leaves of     ‘HEGHE02’ are larger than those of the parent. The dimensions of     mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are, on average, 90 mm long by 55 mm     wide, whereas the largest measured leaves of the parent are 80 mm     long and 45 mm wide. The combination of a stolon-like branching     habit, shortened stem intemodes and larger leaves gives ‘HEGHE02’ a     more dense appearance when compared to the parent. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hemigraphis alternata plant named ‘HEGHE02’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 